UPDATE: Thank you for all of your generous support! Your donations went to specialized meals for Anita (Thanks to Medi-chef and chef Sara Polczynski) and to Anita’s care needs. Since Anita’s death, any additional donation funds have been put towards pancreatic cancer research foundations. We are now closing the donation option, but encourage you to fund on-going pancreatic cancer research and support at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and/or donate in Anita’s memory to the Rabbi Marty and Anita Lawson Endowment Fund or any other Temple Emanu-El San Diego endowment fund.

Thank you all for your caring thoughts and love throughout Anita’s illness and since her death. We miss her very much and know many of you do as well.

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Support Nourishing Meals for Anita

As many of you know, Anita was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. While our family is working closely with her medical team to determine the best course of treatment, one thing has already become clear: nutrition is a huge challenge.

Because the pancreas plays a central role in digestion, pancreatic cancer often makes eating—and tolerating food—difficult. Foods that would normally be nourishing and comforting can actually cause more discomfort, nausea, or pain. Anita is experiencing fatigue, GI symptoms, and a significant loss of appetite, all of which make thoughtful, gentle nutrition more important than ever.

So many dear friends and loved ones have offered to drop off meals, and we are so grateful. After some trial and error, though, we’ve realized that the best way to support Anita’s nourishment is to provide her with meals that are tailored specifically to her needs.

This fund will help cover the cost of ingredients and a private chef who can prepare easily digestible, pancreatic cancer–sensitive meals that take into account Anita’s current symptoms and nutritional limitations. This is not about luxury—it’s about comfort, sustenance, and giving her the best chance to maintain strength for the treatment ahead.

Your support means so much—not just because of the practical help, but because it reminds Anita that she is surrounded by a community of people who love her and want to walk alongside her in this journey.

Thank you for your generosity, your kindness, and your care.

With love and deep gratitude,

Anita, Marty & the entire Lawson family